Secessionist Claims

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, says the fine imposed on Channels Television by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is illegal. He said the agency should publicly apologise and refund the fine — if it has already been paid. The TV station was sanctioned for interviewing the spokesperson of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Inspiration FM was also ordered to pay a fine of N5 million for airing a broadcast of IPOB wherein “secessionist claims” were allegedly made. Speaking in Lagos on Thursday at the launch of a report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Falana said NBC did not allow for fair hearing, as stipulated in the broadcasting act. He said the agency didn’t comply with the provisions of law, adding that the amendment code under w...